Groundbreaking For New STEM Center Held At Pasco State College

DADE CITY, FL — Pasco-Hernando State College President Timothy Beard and Florida Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, were among those on hand Friday for the groundbreaking of the new Pasco-Hernando State College STEM Center for Student Success and Community Engagement.

The groundbreaking took place at the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road.

The new STEM Center will offer a convenient, one-stop location for advising and other essential student services. The STEM Center will also provide state-of-the-art classrooms and labs for career and technical programs.

"As development expands north of Tampa Bay, community leaders predict corporate expansion, business development and population growth in Dade City and East Pasco," said Beard.

The STEM Center for Student Success, an ultramodern, three-story, 51,000-square-foot facility, will support the growing demand for an educated, skilled workforce with smart classrooms, student services, tutoring and computer labs, administrative offices and a 250-seat auditorium, Beard said. The $20 million facility will also serve as a unique venue for student events, college receptions and community gatherings, particularly on its rooftop terrace and open-air patios with of PHSC's East Campus and the surrounding countryside.

As the college continues to grow, adding this new building in East Pasco County will offer students in STEM a state-of-the-art learning experience and will continue efforts to grow the workforce in Pasco and Hernando counties as the demand for workforce programs increases and the strong relationships the college is cultivating with local businesses and industries create a pipeline for students to immediately get to work after completing their coursework.

Also on hand for the event were Ed Goolsby, provost of the East Campus; John Mitten, chairman of the PHSC District Board of Trustees; Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement for the Pasco Economic Development Council; Melonie Monson, president and CEO of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce; and state Rep. Randy Maggard.